Verbatim response from Claude
Compounded Semaglutide: What You Should Know
The Safety Reality
Compounded semaglutide carries more risk than FDA-approved versions (Ozempic, Wegovy) because:
- It's not FDA-approved or independently verified for potency/purity
- Some compounders use semaglutide salt forms (like sodium or acetate) rather than the base form used in approved drugs - these haven't been proven equivalent
- Dosing errors have caused hospitalizations
How to Avoid Sketchy Providers
Look for these green flags:
- 503B outsourcing facilities (FDA-registered, higher standards than regular compounding pharmacies)
- Requires a real prescription from a licensed provider
- Has an actual medical consultation (not just a quick online quiz rubber-stamped)
- Publishes Certificate of Analysis (COA) from third-party testing
- Licensed pharmacy verifiable through your state board of pharmacy
Reasonably reputable options to research:
- Hims/Hers - telehealth with pharmacy partnerships
- Ro - similar model, transparent about their compounders
- Henry - physician-led consultations
- These use compounding pharmacies that are typically 503B or state-licensed
Red flags to avoid:
- No prescription required
- Extremely low prices ($100-150/month seems suspiciously cheap)
- Ships internationally with no US pharmacy info
- No real doctor consultation
Bottom Line
The FDA has stated compounded semaglutide is no longer legal now that shortages are resolved, so availability is changing rapidly. Your safest option is always the brand-name version through insurance or manufacturer savings programs.